Disclaimer: Middle-earth and its contents belong to the Tolkien Estate, not to me. I am making no money off of this. If I was, it would tell a sad tale about the state of literature in this day and age.
I never planned to be a hero.
When I woke up that morning, I didn't know.
The sun shone. The birds sang.
When my little brother jumped on my bed,
And I pulled him into my embrace, ruffling his hair, I didn't know,
It was for the last time.
I never planned to be a hero.
As I ran down the streets, I didn't know.
It was the day of the festival. I was to compete with the other youths in archery.
As I took my place in the lists,
And I checked my arrows one last time I didn't know,
I was to compete in a different sort of contest.
I never planned to be a hero.
When I heard the shouts, I didn't know.
The alarms spread. Elves were running everywhere.
I heard them say that the enemy was upon us.
When I saw the walls begin to crumble and felt the ground shaking with the feet of orcs, I didn't know.
But I was terrified.
I never planned to be a hero.
When I let my first arrow fly, I didn't know.
My friends were gone. I could see nothing but orcs.
I was alone and fighting for my life.
The armory crumbled behind me, the screams of my dying companions filled my ears. I didn't know what was happening,
But something in me died in that moment.
I never planned to be a hero.
Somehow I survived that first foray. I don't know how.
My family was dead. I was lucky.
I ran with the others, with the Lady Idril and little Eärendil.
We were heading for the tunnels, our only chance for escape. I didn't know we were followed.
I simply ran, like the child I once was.
I never planned to be a hero.
When the balrog stood in our path, I knew.
Lord Glorfindel fought. He fell, taking the horror with him.
When the eagle brought his charred body out of the abyss, the survivors could not take their eyes off of it.
I looked away. No one else saw the lone orc, moving towards my Lady, sharp blade clutched in its filthy claws. I knew.
My arrows were spent. I ran.
I never planned to be hero.
When my body slammed into the orc, I knew.
The orc fell. I fell.
For a brief moment, I wondered if I would be able to catch the edge of the cliff before I went over, but it was too late.
I must have fallen for only seconds, but it felt like hours. When I hit the rocks below, I would have no chance of survival. I closed my eyes. I knew.
It was over.
I never planned to be a hero.